Packaging or crating structure



May 23, 1933; H c, WAY 1,910,783

' Y PACKAGINGQR CRATING STRUCTURE Filed sept. 17, 1951 Patented May 23, 1933k UNITED .STATES HARRY O. WAY, F WHEELING, '.VIBGINIA PACKAGING on CRAT'ING .srwcrrulmVA Application filed September 17, 19x31. Serial No. 563,370'.

My present invention relates to-vimprovements in packaging or crating structures of the' general character constituting the subject matterof myprior applications, Serial Numbers 520,395 and 558,120 and my present purpose, generally speaking, is to provide a packaging or crating structure which embodies the fundamental desirable features of my prior structures referred to, and which .m further embodies other features of advantage bot-li from a. production and utilitarian standpoint.

lIe-retofore, in the packing or crating of articles, particularly flat steel plates which may be coa-ted with tin or other substance to' prevent corrosion, it has generally been the practice to pack such plates face to face. In traiisporting such packages, due to the rough handling and the vibration to which the ack- 2 may become subject as in the case 0 railway transportation,.the plates have a tendency to rub, one against the other. Since there is always a certain amount of dust and sometimes steel particles upon the surface of the plates from the atmosphere and handling.

- at the factory, this dust and particles will rub against the surface of the plates due to the shifting of cach plate relative to its neighbcr and will rub holes and scratch the surgi" face of the plates, oftentimes through to the basic steelV surface.

The present invention seeks to overcome the above tendency of the pla-tes to shift by the provision of a rigid and substantial pack-l ago which is adjustable to the exact size of the. plates crated or packed and prevents their consequent "shifting due to the handling of the packages. A crating structure of such a type comprises generally side and l`end elements` of L-shaped cross sectionwhich are of sufficient length tof extend` substantially but not fully the length and widthv of the package of plates or other articles alongfthe J corners thereof. Art. the points of intersec- 45 tion of the side and endl elements, lcorner eicmen'ts of ,substantially L-shapeand AL- shapcd cross section are provided which embrace the end portions of the side` and'end elements. j

lIn the preferred embodiment of my invention, the end portions of the side and end elements are. provided with slots which register with complemental slots formed inthe adjacent portions of the corner elements. Securing elementsl such as bolts or the like are passed through the slots in the end and side elements and through the slots in the corner elements, thus permitting the corner elements to slidingly interlock or engage with the side and end elements and allow adjustment therebetween to accommodate plates of varying size and to permit the package, after having once been formed, to be drawn tightly around the contained articles thus eliminating any possibility of their shifting during transit.

Each corner element at its innermost edge preferably is formed with an arrowhead projection or ak perforation through which is passed a securing member or brace such as a wire, metal strip or the like. This member isv then passed to and connected with a corner element diagonally located with respect to the first element and on the opposite side of the package. Thus a series of reinforcing members are formed oneach side of the package, crossing one another at approximately'the center of each side; These members are designed so that they may be tightened to'any desired degree, thus imparting to the vpackage the requisite degree of rigidity and strength to withstand any rough handling to which it may thereafter become subject. v

In a modification of my invention, the reinforcing or tightening members may be eliminated. and the bottom of the package made of reduced size relative to the top so thatthe bottom may nest therein. This arrangement affords a sturdy rugged struct-ure kwhich may be boundtogether and fastened by one or more metal strips or the like passed therearound and tightened to the desired degree. Y

With-the foregoing and other objects rin view, which will become more fullyapparent as the nature ofthe invention is betterunderstood., the same consists in the novel features ofv construction, combination and arrangement-of parts as will be hereinafter morel isk Figure 3 a detailed view of the elements oit Figure 2 in engaged relation;

Figure Lil is a view of a modilication of the corner element of Figure 2';

Figure 5 is an asymmetric view oi' a Inedih'ed torni ot' my crating structure wherein the side reinforcing elements are eliminated and the betteln ot the crate nested within the top;

Figure 6 a detailed View of the crate ot li`igure 5 showing the elements in separated relation Figure 'l' illustrates the manner in which the side and end elements of the bottom of the crate of Figure 5 are fastened to the corner elements to permit of nesting withinthe top of the crate; and

Figure 8 is a detailed `view ot the elements et Figure 'Y in engaged relation.

lith reference to the drawing and particularly to the construction shown in Figure 1, it will be observed that my crating or packaging structure comprisesessentially two pair of side crating elements eesignated as `11. two pair or' end crating elements desig-` nated as 12, two pair ot' uprightelements designated 13 and eight corner elements 111 employed to connect the side, end and upright elements together.

The side, end and upright cratingl elements may be of dii'lerent leligths, but in other respects they are duplicates oi one another, each being 01" angle or L-shaped crosssection and comprising two side walls 15 and 16, preferably located at right angles to one another. They are formed preferably from sheet metal by a rol ling or pressing process` or in any other suitable manner, and while they may be formed individually, it is pre-- erre'd to roll, press or otherwise forni a blank o1 elongated form and tothereafter cut this blank into sections ot the desired length to constitute such elements.

Preteralily the flanges oit each end, side and upright element are mitered at their ends to permit a rectangular assembly oit said elements with the ends et the side walls 15 and 16 oftheV respective side, end and upright element is provided with a slot 17 to permit of an adjustmentwhich will be hereinafter described.

The corner elements lil like the side and end elements are `formed in angular or L-shaped cross section and are duplicates ot' one another. each being ot substantially angular or L-shape whereby the right angularly disposed legs or arms thereof are adapted for cooperation with the adfacent end portions o1: one ot the side and one ot the end elements, respectively, and Vlike the side and end elenients may be `termed either iralividually or by cutting an elongated blank into sections ot desired length.

lach corner element initially is straight and composed in cross section ot a side wall 1 8 anda lateral flange 19, V-shaped notches heilig formed in the side wall 18, inedially thereo'l", whereby the element is adapted to be bent into its angular or L-shape aforementioned. Y

The sectional size o1 the corner elements is slightly greater than the sectional. size oit the side and end elements whereby the legs or arms of the corner elements are adapted to snugly receive and embrace the end portions o1 the side, end and upright elements.

In the lateral. flanges 19 of each corner element is formed a slot- 21, preferably parallel and arranged in complementa] relation to the slot 17 of element 11. In addition to the slot 21. an arrowhead projection or abutment 22 is formed adjacent the out-side lower corner of each lateral flange 19 for a purpose to be later described.

Between the upright, side and end elements andlield in fixed relation thereby, fiat elements 23 formed of metal, fibre, cardboard or the like may be employed to further protect the contents of the package.

To effect packaging or crating of articles by means of the elements described, a pair ol' side elements 11, a pair of end elements 12 and two pair of upright elements 1,53 are placed in position shown in Figure 1 and the lower corner eleinents 14 applied thereto and secured loosely to the side and end elements by means of bolts and nuts 24 inserted into the complemental slots 17 and 21 ot ele ments 11 and 141, respectively. Bolts 2l are preferably countersunk to permit ot a smooth surface within the interior oit the crate.

The articles to be packed such as steel plates are placed in the crate thus formed and a lateleinent 23 applied to the top thereof, side and end elements 11 and 12 being applied in a manner similar to the formation of the bottom of the crate. Corner elements 14C are applied to the side and end elements 11 and 12 and fastened thereto by securing means 2d. The corner elements .14, are forced inwardly bringing the flat elements 23 into abutting relation with the packed articles. It will be noted that the side elements 11, the end elements 12 and the upright elements 13 are sufllc" iciently short of the ends of the package so as to permit of inward movement of the corners 14. The bolts 24 acting in conjunction with the slots 17 and 21 serve to lock the corf' 5 ner elements 14 in position when they have been forced inwardly as far as is desired.

Brace members 25 consisting of metal strips or wires are placed over thearrowhead projections or abutments 22 yof the corners 14 and are soarranged as shown infFigure 1, that diagonally opposite'corner elements on each side of the crate are connected'. The braces 25 may then be tightened by twisting or other suitable operation, pulling each corner element 14 inwardly on a line toward the center of the crate, thus providing a rigid and secure structure. I

The arrowhead projections 22 may be substituted for by the projections 26 provided with perforations 27 (as shown in Figure 4) through Vwhich the brace members may be passed. Either the arrowhead projection 22 or. the kperforation 27 with its projection 26 maybe easily stamped or punched from the 25 sheet metal with very little trouble.

Frein the above description, it is apparent that according to this preferred embodimentof the invention, a rugged and secure package is obtained. The corner element-s are readily removable to facilitate the opening of the package or crate and the kseveral elements comprising the package are readily capable of repeat-ed use. By reason of the novel form of securing devices, the crate is readily ad'- justable in both width and length. Moreover, according tothe invention as described it is also apparent that only a minimum amount of metal is required for the complete structure; that the corners of the structure are effectively reinforced by the corner elements, and that the production of the side -l and end Velements is greatly simplified due to the similarity in structure therebetween.

, Vith reference to the modification illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, a crate or package similar to the crate or package of Figure 1 is shownV with the exceptionthat the upright elements l13 are eliminated and the crate formed ofa top unit 28 and a bottom unit 29,

the latter being of reduced size so as to permit of its nesting within `the top unit.

The unit 28 is formed in a manner similar to the top and bottom of the crate of Figure 1 i. e. side elements 11 and end elements 12, preferably of L-shaped cross section engage a flat element 23 andare Vheld in position by corner elements 14 through complement-al slots`17 of sideand end elements 11 and 12 and slots21 of the corner elements 14, 'thus permitting adjustment of the crate in both length andwidth. j

The unit 29 or the bottom unit is formed of side elements 31 and end elements 32, preferably of L-shaped crosssection.v Side walls 65 33 of each side and end element are provided with'a plurality of slit-s near each end thereof to 'provideany desired number of tongues 34 spaced equidistantly apart longitudinally of said Walls. In the side walls 35 of each corner element is formed a seriesof narrow slots 36 which are evenly spaced longitudinally of said wall the same amount as the spacing of the tongues 34 forthe selective reception of said'tongues.

To .assemble the unit 29 which forms the bottom of the crate, the tongues 34 of the side and end'elements are first bent over to extend outwardlyifrom said elements. The side elements are then disposed in embracing relation to the sides of the articles to be packed, the end elements are disposed inembraeing relation to the ends of the articles, and the corner elements are disposed with their leg or arm portions in embracing relation to the end portions of the side'andend elements, respectively, with the tongues 34 of the side and end 'elements extending through the slots 36 of-the adjacent legs of the corner elements. The tongues are .then bent'inwardly against the outer faces of the side walls of the vcorner elements whereby the side, end and corner elements are locked together in collective embracing relation to the marginal portions of the articles packed. I

The top unit 28 is then placed over the bottom unit V29 with its contained articles and the two units suitably secured together in rigid relation preferably by a wireor metal member or members37` passing around the two-units as shown in Figure 5.

bviously, by reason of the modifications of my invention` as shown, a great saving in material may be effected over the use of prior crating devices particularly in instances where the package or crate is of materia-l thickness. Moreover, it is apparent that as equivalents, substantiallyr of the Lshaped crating sections, top and bottom plates may be provided to extend completely across the top and bottom ofthe package and marginal flanges may be` provided on said plates to overlie the edges of the package and to be fastened to the corner elements ineither of the different ways shown and described. It will be noted also that the scveralelements composing the crate or package are readily capable of repeated use, thus eifecting material economies in the handling and packing of the articles.

The bolts 24 employed in conjunction with the complemental slots ofthe side, end and corner elements may be omitted if desired, the brace members 25 in such a case, connecting the diagonallyopposite corner elements serving to hold thc package securely and rigidly.

` From the foregoing description considered in connection with the drawing, it is believed that the construction, mode of assembly and the advantages of my present packagingor crating structure Will be clearly understood. It is desired to point out, however, that While certain specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, the same is capable of embodiment in specifically different mechanical structures Within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A structure designed and proportioned for packaging or crating rectangular sheets oit metal comprising rigid longitudinal. elements oi' L-shaped cross section shorter than the length of the sheets to embrace longitudinally extending corners of the sheets, rigid transverse elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the width of the sheets to embrace transversely extending corners of the sheets, rigid corner elements slidably embracing the aforesaid longitudinal and transverse elements in such manner that by relative inward movement of adjacent corner elements the said longitudinal and transverse elements are caused to exert pressure tightly againstthe sheets, and means for holding said corner elements tightly embracing said longitudinal and transverse elements thereby to cause the latter elements to hold the sheets firmly against movement relativeto each other.

2. A structure y'designed and proportioned for packaging or crating rectangular sheets off metal comprising rigid longitudinal elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the length of the sheets to embrace longitudinally extending corners of the sheets, rigid transverse elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the width of the sheets vto embrace transversely extending corners of the sheets, rigid L-shaped corner elements of L- shaped cross section slidably embracing the aforesaid longitudinal and transverse elements whereby relative inward movement of all oi the corner elements causes the longitudinal and transverse elements to exert pressure tightly against the sheets, and tension elements to connect diagonally opposite corner elements to hold said corner elements tightly embracing the longitudinal and transverse elements thereby to cause the latter elements to hold the sheets firmly against movement relative to each other.

3. A structure designed and proportioned for packaging or crating rectangular sheets dinal and transverse elements to exert pressure tightly against the she-ets, each of said longitudinal, transverse and corner elements being inclusive oi a vertical and a horizontal flange and the inner face of each fiange of each of said elements being continuously flat thereby to avoid any inwardly directed projections which might mar the sheets, and tension elements to connect diagonally opposite corner elements to hold said corner elements tightly embracing the longitudinal and transverse elements thereby to cause the latter elements to hold the sheets firmly against movement relative to each other.

4. A structure for packaging or crating metal sheets as set forth'in claim l in which rigid vertical elements of L-shaped cross section and of less height than the sheets are provided to embrace the verticaly extei'iding corners of the sheets.

5. A structure for packaging or crating metal sheets as set forth .in claim 2 in which rigid vertical elements oi L-shaped cross section and of less height than the sheets are provided. to embrace the vertically extending corners off the sheets.

6. A structure for packaging or crating metal sheets as set forth in claim 3 in which rigid vertical elements of L-shaped cross section and ot less height than the sheets are provided to embrace the vertically extending corners of the sheets.

'Y'. A package of rectangular sheets oi" metal comprising rigid longitudinal elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the length of the sheets embracing longitudinally extending corners of the sheets, rigid transverse elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the width of the sheets embracing transversely extending corners off the sheets, rigid L-shaped corner elements of L- shaped cross section slidably embracing the longitudinally and transversely extending elements whereby relative inward movement of all of the corner elements causes said longitudinal and transverse elements to exert pressure tightly against the sheets, and tension elements connecting diagonally opposite corner elements and holding said corner elements tightly embracing the. longitndimil and transverse elements whereby the latter elements are causedto hold the sheets firmly against movement relative to each other.

8. A package of metal sheets as set forth in claim 7 in which rigid vertical elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the height of the sheets embrace the corners of' the sheets and are embraced at their ends by said corner elements.

9. A package of rectangular sheets of inetal comprising rigid longitudinal elements oi L-shaped cross section shorter than the length of the sheets embracing longitudinally extending corners of the sheets, rigid transverse elements of L-shaped cross section shorter lill) lll) than the width of the sheets embracing transversely extending corners of the sheets, rigid L-shaped corner elements of L-shaped cross section slidably embracing the longitudinally `and transversely extending elements whereby relative inward movement of all of the corner elements causes said longitudinal and transverse elements to exert pressure tightly against the sheets, each of said longitudinal, transverse and corner elements being inclusive of vertical and horizontal flanges and the inner face of each flange of each of said I elements being continuously flat thereby to avoid any inwardly directed projections which might .mar the sheets, and tension elements connecting diagonally opposite corner elements and holding said corner elements n tightly embracing the longitudinal and transverse elements whereby the latter elements are caused to hold the sheets lirmly against movement relative to each other.

10. A package of metal sheets as set forth in claim 9 in which rigid vertical elements of L-shaped cross section shorter than the height of the sheets embrace the corners of the sheets and are embraced at their ends b said corner elements.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signa-ture.

' HARRY C. WAY, 

